The Junior League of Omaha is committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. As our Omaha community grapples with the sudden and life-changing challenges in this COVID-19 time, we want to respond and live out our mission by serving others and giving back to our community.
The Community Impact Council, along with the Management Team, have reached out to our partners in the new Focus Area: Hunger & Access to Healthy Foods to find ways we can get our members back into the community while understanding the personal decisions around each individual’s comfort and preference. Your participation is optional and certainly appreciated!
Join us for four ways to give in May with two incredible partners!
Heart Ministry Center – Virtual Food Drive
The Heart Ministry Center provides basic necessities, educational opportunities, health outreach events and support to individuals and families in north Omaha and surrounding areas. They are home to the largest food pantry in the state of Nebraska, distributing more than 3 million pounds of food per year and 1 million pounds of that total is fresh fruit and vegetables. Heart Ministry Center is able to purchase their food pantry goods at a very low cost, far lower than what we would be spending on physical goods.
At Heart Ministry Center:
- $250 feeds 10 people for 30 days
- $8.30 feeds 10 people, three meals a day
- $2.77 feeds 10 people one meal
- $0.27 covers one meal per person
The Junior League of Omaha is hosting a virtual food drive for the Heart Ministry Center for the month of May. It is a monetary drive, with donations being made via PayPal Giving Fund here: https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/1238066
Steps to Participate in the JLO Virtual Food Drive:
- Click the link and give a donation of whatever you can.
- In an effort to measure the monetary impact JLO is having on access to healthy food in the Omaha community, we request that you forward your giving receipt to acdcommunityimpact@jlomaha.org
Heart Ministry Center – Volunteer Opportunities
Thursday, May 14 & Thursday, May 21
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Volunteers will work alongside Heart Ministry workers during their pantry hours as they provide drive thru service to 150-200 families. Volunteers will help by filling pantry bags, distributing bags to cars, loading/unloading food in the warehouse, and assisting with any other needs they may have that day.
Sign up on Digital Cheetah. Each shift is for four volunteers to adhere to CDC guidelines and social distancing rules. Bring your own mask and other gear (i.e. gloves, clothing, etc.) that make you comfortable to volunteer.
The Union for Contemporary Art – Physical Goods Donation Drive
The Union for Contemporary Art strengthens the cultural and social landscape of our community by using the arts as a vehicle to inspire positive social change. The Union’s Abundance Garden includes 960 square feet of raised garden beds, a geodesic dome greenhouse, a small fruit-tree orchard, composting facilities, a performance space, and an outdoor classroom used for community events and The Union’s Youth Engagement programs.
For the month of May, Junior League members can purchase items from the attached list and drop off the goods to anyone of these members’ homes at eight different Omaha locations around the city. These goods will be donated to the Union for inclusion into the Art+Life kids and CSA resources to families and seniors in the community.
Dry Goods Donation List
JLO Member Donation Options
Tips for donating:
- Leave the bag on the front porch of the member’s home or in a box marked for JLO donations.
- Thank you to Alysia Radicia, Jamie Schneider, Michelle Pernicek, Colby Jensen, Kerri Palmesano, Emily Barr, Catherine Harrington and Jess Sock for being a drop-off location!
The Union – Mask Making Tutorial: Sew & No Sew
Saturday May 9, 10 – 11 a.m.
Contact: Shannon Lang – Shannon.p.lang@gmail.com
Via Google Hangouts
Paige Reitz, Deputy Director of The Union for Contemporary Art, will be teaching us how to make both a no sew mask and a sewn mask. If you would like to donate any of the masks you make, the Heart Ministry will gladly accept them for their employees, clients, and pantry recipients.
Register on Digital Cheetah and by emailing Shannon Lang. Event registrants will receive the Google Hangout link along with a list of supplies needed.
Again, these activities are completely optional. We understand that lives have changed dramatically and we are trying to meet the needs of all members. We hope that you will consider participating if you feel comfortable and your new schedule allows.
Sending healthy wishes your way!
jloconnections.com 